Mexico · Yucatán — Riviera Maya

Tulum

Mayan ruins on Caribbean cliffs + boho jungle hotels + cenote paradise

Tulum is the Riviera Maya's hippie-chic capital — Mayan ruins on Caribbean cliffs, boho jungle hotels (Azulik, Nômade), yoga + wellness culture, and the world's best cenote network. New Tulum airport (TQO) opened 2024.

Airport

Tulum TQO (opened Dec 2023) · or Cancún CUN + 2h

Best season

November-April

Sargassum risk

Peak May-September (seaweed on beach)

Boho hotels

Azulik, Nômade, Casa Malca

Tulum highlights

Tulum ruins

The only Mayan ruins by the sea — El Castillo temple on a cliff over turquoise water. Best sunrise before 09:00.

Cenote Zacil-Ha + Cristal

Family-friendly cenotes near town — swimming, jumping platforms.

Cenote Calavera (Skull Cenote)

The famous "skull" cenote — cliff jump into a small opening.

Gran Cenote

Multi-cave system with turtles + snorkelling. Iconic.

Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve

UNESCO — 1.3M acres, mangrove tours + dolphin spotting.

Cobá Mayan ruins

45 min west — climb Nohoch Mul pyramid (rare climbable pyramid). Rent a bike inside the site.

Yoga + wellness retreats

Tulum's specialty — Yaan Wellness + Habitas + KIN Toh temazcal.

Getting there

New Tulum Airport (TQO) opened December 2023 — direct flights from Mexico City, Dallas, Chicago. Or Cancún (CUN) + 2h transfer ($70-100). ADO bus from CUN 2h ($20).

Getting around

Bicycle rental essential (~$5/day). Colectivo van to beach zone. Uber operates in Tulum (unlike Cancún).

Best time to visit

November-April (dry, cool). Avoid August-October (sargassum + hurricanes).

Budget per day

$50-90 backpacker · $150-350 mid-range · $600+ luxury (Azulik, Nômade)

Airport transfer from Tulum International (Felipe Carrillo Puerto) (TQO)

Getting out of Tulum (TQO)

Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.

Pre-book a fixed-price transfer

Our pick

Driver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.

Check transfer prices Renting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.

Where to stay in Tulum

Find hotels in Tulum, Mexico

1.4M+ properties · Trip.com

Search hotels

Fly to Tulum International (Felipe Carrillo Puerto) (TQO)

Popular direct routes from: Cancún, Mexico City, Dallas, Chicago

Find cheap flights

Compare flights · Powered by Trip.com

Search flights

Or compare on Expedia — often better US + EU fares Bundle flight + hotel on Trip.com

Where to stay in Tulum

Tulum hotels on Expedia

Bundle your flight + hotel for typical 5-15% saving. Free cancellation on most rates for Tulum stays.

Search Tulum on Expedia

US default

Expedia bundles the flight + hotel discount in-cart (5-30% off the combined book). Price-match guarantee means you can rebook if the rate drops before check-in.

See Tulum rates

Frequently asked about Tulum

How do I get to Tulum from Cancún airport?

ADO bus 2h direct (~$20). Private transfer ~$70. Or fly direct to new Tulum Airport (TQO) — opened December 2023.

How many days do I need in Tulum?

4-5 days — day 1 arrive + beach, day 2 Tulum ruins + Gran Cenote, day 3 Cobá + smaller cenotes, day 4 Sian Ka'an, day 5 yoga + relax.

What is sargassum + when is it worst?

Sargassum is brown seaweed that washes up on Caribbean beaches. Peak May-September. Check sargassumtracker.com before booking beachfront.

Is Tulum safe?

Generally safe in tourist zones. Some cartel-related incidents in 2022-2023 (rare, targeting locals). Use Uber + reputable transport. Don't buy drugs.

Home/Destinations/Mexico

Mexico · Yucatán — Riviera Maya

Tulum

Mayan ruins on Caribbean cliffs + boho jungle hotels + cenote paradise

Airport

Tulum TQO (opened Dec 2023) · or Cancún CUN + 2h

Best season

November-April

Sargassum risk

Peak May-September (seaweed on beach)

Boho hotels

Azulik, Nômade, Casa Malca

Tulum highlights

Tulum ruins

The only Mayan ruins by the sea — El Castillo temple on a cliff over turquoise water. Best sunrise before 09:00.

Cenote Zacil-Ha + Cristal

Family-friendly cenotes near town — swimming, jumping platforms.

Cenote Calavera (Skull Cenote)

The famous "skull" cenote — cliff jump into a small opening.

Gran Cenote

Multi-cave system with turtles + snorkelling. Iconic.

Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve

UNESCO — 1.3M acres, mangrove tours + dolphin spotting.

Cobá Mayan ruins

45 min west — climb Nohoch Mul pyramid (rare climbable pyramid). Rent a bike inside the site.

Yoga + wellness retreats

Tulum's specialty — Yaan Wellness + Habitas + KIN Toh temazcal.

Getting there

New Tulum Airport (TQO) opened December 2023 — direct flights from Mexico City, Dallas, Chicago. Or Cancún (CUN) + 2h transfer ($70-100). ADO bus from CUN 2h ($20).

Getting around

Bicycle rental essential (~$5/day). Colectivo van to beach zone. Uber operates in Tulum (unlike Cancún).

Best time to visit

November-April (dry, cool). Avoid August-October (sargassum + hurricanes).

Budget per day

$50-90 backpacker · $150-350 mid-range · $600+ luxury (Azulik, Nômade)

Airport transfer from Tulum International (Felipe Carrillo Puerto) (TQO)

Getting out of Tulum (TQO)

Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.

Pre-book a fixed-price transfer

Our pick

Driver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.

Check transfer prices Renting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.

Where to stay in Tulum

Find hotels in Tulum, Mexico

1.4M+ properties · Trip.com

Search hotels

Fly to Tulum International (Felipe Carrillo Puerto) (TQO)

Popular direct routes from: Cancún, Mexico City, Dallas, Chicago

Find cheap flights

Compare flights · Powered by Trip.com

Search flights

Or compare on Expedia — often better US + EU fares Bundle flight + hotel on Trip.com

Where to stay in Tulum

Tulum hotels on Expedia

Bundle your flight + hotel for typical 5-15% saving. Free cancellation on most rates for Tulum stays.

Search Tulum on Expedia

US default

Expedia bundles the flight + hotel discount in-cart (5-30% off the combined book). Price-match guarantee means you can rebook if the rate drops before check-in.

See Tulum rates

Frequently asked about Tulum

How do I get to Tulum from Cancún airport?

ADO bus 2h direct (~$20). Private transfer ~$70. Or fly direct to new Tulum Airport (TQO) — opened December 2023.

How many days do I need in Tulum?

4-5 days — day 1 arrive + beach, day 2 Tulum ruins + Gran Cenote, day 3 Cobá + smaller cenotes, day 4 Sian Ka'an, day 5 yoga + relax.

What is sargassum + when is it worst?

Sargassum is brown seaweed that washes up on Caribbean beaches. Peak May-September. Check sargassumtracker.com before booking beachfront.

Is Tulum safe?

Generally safe in tourist zones. Some cartel-related incidents in 2022-2023 (rare, targeting locals). Use Uber + reputable transport. Don't buy drugs.